The procedure and conditions for immigration of foreigners and stateless persons to Ukraine are established by the Law of Ukraine “On Immigration”.
Foreigners and stateless persons who, in accordance with the legislation of Ukraine, have grounds for immigration to Ukraine may obtain a permit to immigrate to Ukraine. These grounds are listed in Article 4 of the Law of Ukraine “On Immigration”.
Immigration permit is granted within the immigration quotation set by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine in the prescribed manner for the following categories of immigrants:
1) scholars and cultural workers whose immigration is in the interests of Ukraine;
2) highly qualified specialists and workers who are very much needed for the Ukrainian economy;
3) persons who have invested in the economy of Ukraine in foreign currency in the amount of not less than 100,000 US dollars. Such investment must be duly registered in accordance with the established procedure;
4) persons who are either a brother or sister, a grandfather or grandmother, or a grandson of a Ukrainian citizen;
5) persons who previously had Ukrainian citizenship;
6) the immigrant’s parents / wife and his or her minor children;
7) persons who have permanently resided in Ukraine for three years from the date of granting them refugee or asylum status, as well as their parents, wife, minor children living with such persons.
Immigration permits beyond the quotation are granted to the following persons:
1) one of the spouses, if the other spouse is a citizen of Ukraine and the marriage between them was registered more than two years ago, children and parents of citizens of Ukraine;
2) persons who are guardians or trustees of citizens of Ukraine or are under the guardianship of citizens of Ukraine;
3) persons who have the right to become a citizen of Ukraine on the basis of territorial origin;
4) persons whose immigration is in the state interest of Ukraine;
5) foreign Ukrainians, the wife of such foreign Ukrainians, their children, if they remain together in Ukraine.
According to Article 9 of the Law on Immigration, applications for an immigration permit must be submitted:
1) persons permanently residing abroad – to diplomatic and consular missions of Ukraine at the place of permanent residence;
2) persons who are in Ukraine on legal grounds – to the authorized bodies at the place of residence.
The application for an immigration permit must be submitted in person by the applicant to the relevant public authority. In case of valid excuses (applicant’s illness, natural disaster, etc.) the application can be sent by mail or submitted to another person who has a notarized apostille letter-authorization (the letter should have an apostille translation into Ukrainian).
An application for an immigration permit for minors as well as incapacitated persons may be submitted by their legal representatives.
If one of the parents immigrates with minor children, he (she) must provide a notarized statement from his or her husband that the husband has no objections to the immigration of the children with the other parent. If such consent has not been given, parents must obtain a formal order from the appropriate authorities to allow the children to stay with those parents. Such an order must be legalized by a consular office of Ukraine, unless otherwise provided by an international treaty of Ukraine.
The following documents must be submitted with the application for an immigration permit:
1) a copy of the passport document;
2) three photographs 3.5 x 4.5 cm;
3) a document containing information about the place of residence (in Ukraine and abroad);
4) documentary information on the composition of the family (copies of birth certificates, marriage certificates, documents on adoption or guardianship, etc.);
5) a medical document confirming that the person does not suffer from chronic alcoholism, drug addiction, drug addiction or infectious diseases, the list of which is determined by the relevant central body for health (this does not apply to persons referred to in paragraphs 1, 3, section 3 , Article 4 of the Law on Immigration).
Documents issued by the competent authorities of foreign states are subject to legalization, unless otherwise provided by international treaties of Ukraine. All documents (including translations into Ukrainian, written confirmation of consent to immigration and guarantees from invited persons) made in the United States must be certified (apostille) in accordance with paragraph 6 of the Law of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine № 1238 of August 5, 1998. whose data can be changed must be submitted within 6 months from the date of issue.
Example: a birth certificate is apostille. All pages of the apostille and birth certificates are translated into Ukrainian, signed by a translator, notarized, and apostilized. The apostille translation includes a copy of the birth certificate from which it was translated.
If the legislation of Ukraine applies any fees for formalities related to the granting of an immigration permit, a document confirming payment of such fees should be attached to the application for an immigration permit.
If any of the documents specified by the legislation of Ukraine is not submitted, the application for an immigration permit cannot be accepted.
As this is necessary and does not contradict the legislation of Ukraine, the relevant competent authorities dealing with migration issues may require other documents to determine the grounds for issuing an immigration permit and may invite applicants or other persons for an interview.
The term for processing the application shall not exceed 1 year from the date of submission of such application.
Rules of entry into Ukraine and issuance of a permanent residence permit in Ukraine.
The diplomatic mission or consular post of Ukraine shall issue an immigrant visa to a person permanently residing abroad who has obtained an immigration permit, which shall be valid for 1 year from the date of issue. Such a person enters the Ukrainian territory according to the rules determined by the legislation of Ukraine.
Upon arrival in Ukraine, the immigrant must apply for a permanent residence permit to the migration authorities at the place of residence.
The certificate of permanent residence is issued within 1 week from the date of receipt of the application by the relevant immigration authorities.
A permanent residence permit for a person who is legally in Ukraine and has obtained an immigration permit is issued by the relevant immigration authorities at the place of residence within 1 week of receiving the application.